Click to access website

16 December 2005

Nareg Armenian School of Nicosia, Cyprus

The curriculum at the Nareg School has been undergoing serious changes, and this without the knowledge and participation of parties concerned such as The Parent's Association, parents and the community at large. Armenian classes have been substantially eliminated and have given way to Greek language classes which proportionally count more now.

Concerned parents who spoke to Gibrahayer said that while comparing the number of Armenian classes of previous years, it was evident that Armenian classes had been diminished. A young mother who wanted to stay anonymous said. "If this is the product of a new policy, we should have at least been informed, specially when most parents are preparing to send their children to private English schools. Why has this policy change taken place behind our back and prepared behind closed doors?"

With the Melkonian school closure slowly kicking in as a definite reality, the clear indication from administrators and the School Committee (Hokapartsoutiun) is that they are preparing the younger Armenian generations for Greek Gymnasiums.

"How else can we explain the increase of Greek language classes" said one father. "As this is not enough, the science classes, geography and mathematics are being taught in Greek, causing confusion not only to students but to teachers who used to teach these subjects in English or Armenian", the same father concluded.

A mother of two children in Nareg said. "If they want to increase Greek classes that is fine by me, but they should not do it over classes in Armenian, as the only reason we send our children to Nareg is to get an Armenian education.. ".

Gibrahayer e-magazine believe that if there is a need for more classes in languages, or sports, computers or an all-round enhancement of the level of education at Nareg Schools, the Hokapartsoutiun should seriously consider the introduction of an all-day school.

Interested parties should collectively address the challenges of the changing times, the effects of the the closure of Melkonian and most important of all the level of Armenian education we want to include in the school curriculum through which we will build the Armenian identity of the future generations of our community.

Source: Gibrahayer e-MagazineNicosia November 14, 2005Original Title: WHAT IS HAPPENING IN NAREG?